In Verchères, an installation where the choice of location mattered just as much as the choice of heat pump
In this residence in Verchères Verchères, the challenge was not simply to find a wall capable of accommodating a MIDEA MIDEA35 wall-mounted heat pump. The interior configuration visible at the site included several closely spaced openings: a connecting kitchen on the left, a door in the center, another door on the right, and relatively little continuous wall space available for an indoor unit.
We therefore made smart use of the upper part of the wall, above the central opening, allowing the heat pump to be integrated into a traffic area without unnecessarily sacrificing a large wall surface.
The photo taken after our work illustrates this type of situation particularly well. The MIDEA indoor unit is installed high, near the ceiling, above the door. Its display shows a setpoint of 20 °C and the shutters are open, indicating that the system was operating when the photo was taken.
This location is interesting for one simple reason: in an existing home, the theoretical best location is not always available. You have to work with the actual architecture, occupant traffic, doors, furniture, windows, the possibility of routing the refrigerant lines, and condensate drainage.
At AirGreen, this is precisely where experience in HVAC installation At AirGreen, this is precisely where experience makes a difference. We do not choose a location simply because it is easy to drill. We look for a well-balanced compromise between air distribution, accessibility, aesthetics, technical requirements, and the home's day-to-day use.
The selected unit belongs to Midea’s range of ductless wall-mounted systems, which includes the MIDEA35, MIDEA28, MIDEA25 and MIDEA22.
Why install an indoor unit above a door?
An installation like this requires more thought than an installation on a large, completely unobstructed wall.
The wall photographed in Verchères is divided by several openings. Placing the unit on the available section above the door keeps the side surfaces clear while positioning the heat pump at a height that promotes effective air distribution.
In a setup like this, we check, among other things:
- the distance between the top of the unit and the ceiling;
- the space required around the heat pump so that air can be drawn in properly;
- future accessibility for the filter cleaning and HVAC maintenance;
- the strength of the mounting surface;
- the natural direction of the airflow;
- the presence of doors and their movement;
- the refrigerant line routing;
- the possibility of obtaining condensate drainage with an appropriate slope;
- the placement of the communication cable and the power supply required by the system.
A location may appear perfectly clear when looking only at the wall, but become problematic after analyzing the drainage or refrigerant line routing.
Using height without obstructing movement around the home
The photo of this installation also shows why ductless wall-mounted heat pumps are particularly practical in existing homes in Verchères, Contrecœur, Varennes, Boucherville, and elsewhere on the Montreal’s South Shore.
The unit occupies part of the wall that would otherwise have little use. No floor space is lost, and movement between the different rooms remains completely unobstructed.
Midea states that a ductless system connects the indoor unit to the outdoor unit through a relatively small opening, which generally avoids having to build a complete duct network or undertake major demolition and reconstruction work.
For an already finished home, this flexibility is particularly valuable.
The MIDEA35: Midea’s high-end wall-mounted series
The manufacturer’s documentation classifies the MIDEA35 as a high-end wall-mounted series and an extreme heat pump, with heating operation advertised down to -30°C.
Depending on the selected capacity, the range includes three configurations:
- 9,000 BTU/h in cooling;
- 12,000 BTU/h in cooling;
- 18,000 BTU/h in cooling.
Their rated heating capacities are respectively 12,000, 12,000, and 20,000 BTU/h. The series uses the refrigerant R-454B and the three combinations presented in the brochure are identified as Cold Climate V6.1.
The exact capacity of the heat pump installed at this Verchères residence cannot be read from the provided photo. We therefore prefer not to invent a BTU rating. Professional installation relies precisely on the exact combination of the indoor and outdoor units and on the building’s sizing, rather than on an estimate based on the machine’s appearance.
Up to 33.3 SEER2: what the figures really mean
The MIDEA35 delivers particularly impressive cooling performance.
Depending on the version:
9,000 BTU: 33.3 SEER2
12,000 BTU: 29.4 SEER2
18,000 BTU: 25.6 SEER2
For heating, the HSPF2 Region IV values listed by Midea are respectively 22.0, 14.5, and 16.2.
It is important not to read these figures as though all capacities within the same family had exactly the same efficiency. This is a common mistake when homeowners compare different heat pumps in Montréal or on the South Shore.
The name MIDEA35 represents a series. Actual performance must always be associated with the precise combination of models.
A compressor that modulates rather than operating only in on-off mode
Midea uses variable-speed technology that allows the compressor to adjust its speed according to the heating or cooling demand. Unlike a conventional system that essentially alternates between on and off, the compressor can reduce or increase its operation as the indoor temperature changes.
Midea associates this technology with a more stable indoor temperature and reduced temperature fluctuations.
In the Verchères residence, this modulation is particularly relevant given the position of the indoor unit in a circulation area between several spaces.
When a heat pump is properly sized, it can operate progressively rather than constantly blowing at maximum output. This makes the unit’s day-to-day operation much more comfortable.
Air distribution becomes essential with this type of placement
The visible location in our photo overlooks an area where several passageways meet. In such a situation, adjusting the louvers and fan speed deserves particular attention.
The Midea range offers up to 100 adjustable airflow levels, as well as continuous fan speed control. The documentation also indicates that the system can be controlled with the SmartHome app and Wi-Fi, depending on the configuration.
The MIDEA35 series also includes several useful functions for adjusting the unit’s operation:
- horizontal swing;
- vertical swing;
- silent mode;
- Turbo function;
- night mode;
- timer;
- function Follow Me;
- fan speed control from 1% to 100%;
- automatic cleaning;
- 8°C heating mode;
- ECO mode;
- Wi-Fi control;
- smart sensor;
- humidity control.
In a hallway or near doors, these options make it possible to fine-tune the direction and intensity of the airflow rather than leaving the unit running with a single setting permanently.
The technical details that turn a beautiful installation into a durable one
A MIDEA35 heat pump may deliver excellent performance on paper, but this performance depends on compliant installation.
In Verchères, as during our service calls in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore and South ShoreTherefore, we pay just as much attention to the hidden elements as to the final appearance of the indoor unit.
The refrigerant lines are not identical for all MIDEA35 models
Here is a detail often overlooked when replacing an old heat pump.
The versions 9,000 and 12,000 BTU of the MIDEA35 use piping sized 1/4 in. for the liquid line and 3/8 in. for the gas line.
The version 18,000 BTU, on the other hand, requires 3/8 in. and 5/8 in..
The maximum piping lengths specified by the manufacturer also differ:
- 82 ft for the 9,000 BTU model;
- 82 ft for the 12,000 BTU model;
- 164 ft for the 18,000 BTU model.
The maximum height differences are, respectively, 49.2 ft, 49.2 ft, and 82 ft.
This data is particularly important when reusing an existing route or when the outdoor unit must be installed far from the indoor unit.
Simply replacing the equipment without checking the existing copper line diameters can result in an installation that does not comply with the manufacturer’s requirements.
Drainage is even more important when the unit is located above a door
The water produced by a heat pump in cooling mode must be properly drained.
When an indoor unit is located above a door opening, we must be particularly attentive to condensate management. Even a small leak would be much more disruptive in a passageway than above an unused wall.
We therefore check the drain connection, its slope, its routing, and its discharge.
The drain must not unnecessarily form back-pitches or pockets that could retain water. When natural gravity drainage is possible, it is generally preferable to adding a condensate pump, which introduces an additional mechanical component to maintain.
Extreme temperatures: the MIDEA35 is designed for heating down to -30 °C
For Quebec’s climate, winter performance is often the determining factor.
The three MIDEA35 models presented in the brochure have a stated heating operating range of -30 °C to 24 °C.
But the figure “-30 °C” does not tell the whole story.
A heat pump’s capacity varies with outdoor temperature. Midea therefore also provides the rated capacities at -15 °C :
- 13,500 BTU/h for the 9,000 BTU model;
- 13,500 BTU/h for the 12,000 BTU model;
- 22,600 BTU/h for the 18,000 BTU model.
The COPs corresponding to this condition are, respectively, 3.60, 3.60, and 4.40.
This data is much more useful than a simple minimum temperature when determining whether a heat pump can play an important role in heating a property.
Particularly quiet indoor operation
In this Verchères installation, the unit is located in an indoor area very close to occupied rooms. Sound level therefore becomes an important consideration.
Depending on the capacity selected, the brochure indicates indoor sound levels as low as 19 dB(A) on the 9,000 and 12,000 BTU versions and up to 16 dB(A) for the 18,000 BTU version at the quietest setting indicated.
This allows the heat pump to maintain comfort without turning a corridor or adjacent room into a noisy area.
The smart sensor is particularly relevant in traffic areas
The MIDEA35 includes a smart sensor, unlike the MIDEA22, which is excluded from the documentation. The manufacturer also indicates a dual temperature and humidity control for this product family.
The documentation specifies that the sensor can manage airflow behavior based on occupancy and that the operating frequency may decrease after a prolonged absence to reduce energy consumption.
In a location like the one photographed in Verchères, situated in a passageway, this modulation capability is an interesting complement to the unit’s physical placement.
Follow Me mode: the temperature can be measured somewhere other than at the unit
A wall-mounted unit installed near the ceiling does not necessarily measure exactly the same temperature as the one felt lower down in the room.
The function Follow Me provides an interesting solution. Midea states that the sensor built into the remote control can measure the ambient temperature and allow the unit to adjust its operation accordingly.
This can be useful when the indoor unit is positioned high up, as is the case with this installation.
A proper installation must also remain accessible for servicing
The heat pump shown in the photo is installed compactly above the door. However, an aesthetically pleasing installation must never prevent future servicing.
The filters will need to be removed and cleaned regularly. After several seasons, a deep cleaning of the wall-mounted heat pump may also become necessary to remove dust and deposits accumulated in the evaporator, drain pan, and blower wheel.
Midea also designed this product family with a removable blower wheel to facilitate access during thorough cleaning.
This is something we take into account from the moment of installation: a unit must not be placed somewhere where servicing it will become practically impossible a few years later.
Subsidies and AHRI number: verify the exact combination before promising an amount
When a homeowner is looking for heat pump subsidy in Quebec, you must use the AHRI number corresponding to the installed combination.
For the MIDEA35, Midea indicates:
- AHRI 215471386 for the 9,000 BTU combination;
- AHRI 215471387 for the 12,000 BTU combination;
- AHRI 215471388 for the 18,000 BTU combination.
Because programs and their criteria may change, we always recommend verifying the eligibility of the exact combination at the time of the quote or application.
It is not enough to read “MIDEA35” in a brochure to automatically know the available amount.
A residential warranty to keep with all project documentation
Midea’s documentation presents, for the residential sector, a 12-year limited warranty on the compressor, 12 years on parts, and 10 years on labor, according to the applicable program terms and conditions.
After an installation, it is therefore important to keep:
- the invoice;
- the model numbers;
- the serial numbers;
- the AHRI combination;
- proof of installation;
- the required registration documents.
These elements can be just as important as the remote control when it eventually becomes necessary to have a warranty claim honored.
This Verchères project illustrates a simple rule: adapt the heat pump to the house, not the other way around
What we take away from this MIDEA MIDEA35 wall-mounted heat pump installation in Verchères, it is primarily about how an architectural constraint can become an interesting location when properly analyzed.
The wall was interrupted by several doors and passageways. Rather than sacrifice a large usable area, we integrated the unit into the available upper section. The heat pump is therefore installed above the opening, with its display visible and clear access at the front.
This type of project represents exactly our approach at AirGreen.
A HVAC installation A successful installation does not involve choosing the location that takes the technician the least time. It involves determining where the unit can operate efficiently while fitting into the way the occupants actually use their home.
This is the method we apply to our wall-mounted heat pumps in Verchères, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the South Shore and the North Shore : proper sizing, carefully considered placement, model-appropriate piping, safe drainage, methodical commissioning, and attention to future maintenance.
The MIDEA35 offers highly appealing technical features for Quebec’s climate. But this project mainly shows that the performance figures listed in a brochure only truly matter when the unit is installed with consideration for the building in which it will operate for many years.